Hand Position at the Piano: 5 Foundations of Piano Technique, Part 1

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

If you could change just ONE thing about your technique, what would it be? Leave your answer in the comments!

[@ginagenis6824]

If I could change one thing about my technique, it would be more awareness of my seating posture. My back gets tired quickly and then I realize I am hunching.

[@cantarinamama]

Understand what technique is. My teachers never discussed it.

[@Linda-learns-piano]

My upper back gets tired quickly as well

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

@@Linda-learns-piano This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJPPkJ6alL6gbs0

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

@@ginagenis6824 This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJPPkJ6alL6gbs0

[@tinman1943]

I'm an 80 yo who's been trying to play keyboard for an embarrassingly long number of years without ever getting to the point of being able to "sit down and play something." I decided to blow the dust off Burgmüller 25 Etudes and discovered it would be a good place to finally use the wrist rolls my piano teachers talked about. Looking for a refresher, I stumbled on your videos. I'm looking forward to getting my technique in shape, and hoping that will give me confidence that I can actually LEARN something! To answer your question: I don't know what I don't know! What does it take to get to the point you can play SOMETHING on demand that someone would actually enjoy listening to--say "Happy Birthday"--which, besides one's national anthem, must be the most useful song to know.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Glad you're getting back and enjoying the piano! If you want to have something to share, I suggest picking a few pieces and working on them consistently for a while. Make sure they're the right level for you and keep at it! Good luck!

[@user-zk4js3xf7r]

Thanks @@ThePianoProfKateBoyd for the reply. The "for a while" part of your comment is definitely more than one week--more like daily for a few months! Which doesn't fit well into the typical weekly lesson paradigm. I'm surprised none of my teachers ever made a point of developing a "performance repertoire"--even though they did hold recitals. All the emphasis was on the next new piece/technique, which of course was never mastered before going on to yet another one.

[@TomasWjekan]

I really appreciate how you can explain things so clearly without making it feel overwhelming. Ty so much, Professor Boyd

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful!

[@krushmut]

I am a self-learner and developed bad playing habits, leading to minor injuries. I have been looking for different resources to address my issues. Your "Foundations of Piano Technique" playlist helped me to fix my problems! Thank you very much!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

I'm so glad that you have found it helpful! Wonderful that you are playing with more ease now. 😊

[@andrzejstrzelba2362]

I'm also a self-learner, struggling with the same technical issues, I found your tutorial extremely helpful ❤️

[@user-he5ym3cf6e]

This is a fabulous presentation and explanation that translates well to beginning or young students. Thank you for much!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Wonderful - thanks so much!

[@jakilevi3027]

I just discovered your videos and immediately started using your advice with my own students.I can't thank you enough I believe that with your advice I will be able to raise the level of my intermediate students and teach beginners a lot better too. Many thanks.

[@AndresFigari]

This video really helped my pinkys!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Great!! So glad you found it helpful. 🎹 🔥 😊

[@cody31]

Superb teaching. Your channel is like a goldmine. Knowledge is power. Herzlichen Dank!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thanks! 😃

[@fredericassaf]

This is the chopin technique for sure 😍❤️

[@rogercarroll2551]

This makes great sense.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thank you! I hope you find it useful in your own playing!

[@Linda-learns-piano]

Thank you, Dr. Kate. I can appreciate your channel as I don't believe any other Piano channels talk solely about hand and finger positions. I am a 61-year-old who spent a career in the military as a nurse always wanting to play piano. I started at a community college2023 and am in my third semester of piano and theory. Thank you for educating. I think I missed my calling.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thanks for sharing your story! Glad you're here. Keep up the good work!

[@Linda-learns-piano]

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd thank you I taught nursing in addition to working at the bedside so honestly I can appreciate that you are a straightforward educator, it's no wonder you teach at a university. Your students are so lucky. Perhaps you can also do some exercises and tricks for playing mezzoforte in one hand, and pianissimo in another hand

[@embrown23]

I love these videos. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@Kenrodz85]

Thank you. I'll try these.

[@Frank-in-NY]

Excellent, I think this is just what I need. Thanks Kate!

[@ginagenis6824]

Thanks for this indepth explanation on hand positions. I have been looking for a guide like this for a while.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rickfiddler133]

Thank you for your guidance. Self learning through apps and so enjoy your professional assistance. Kind regards

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@gregorprozesky]

Very good explanation. Thank you very much. I hope you give more instructions about Mr. Dohnanyi.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thank you - I am definitely planning on finishing the series!

[@dunnkruger8825]

Thanks

[@lynnanderson1326]

Thank you! I finally understand!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Great! Glad it helped!!

[@skriabinlover]

Thank you for the time and effort of making this and other videos, Professor Kate. They are of excellent quality - some of the best here on KZbin. Wish I had such a competent teacher when I was learning to play piano years ago. Do you have any advice or exercises for collapsing first finger knuckles (those closest to the nails)?

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

No specific exercises but just focusing on good hand position, not overcurving and playing very slowly to make sure you are supporting that knuckle.

[@skriabinlover]

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Thank you for taking the time to answer my question 💛

[@sj4177]

Thank you so much!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You're welcome!

[@josephinebrown6631]

Thank you kindly🤍

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

You’re welcome 😊

[@kiralighto2573]

Dear Prof i love you for your Gold content

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thank you! 😊 Glad you're here!

[@virginiahouser1060]

Excellent presentation on this foundational piano topic! Keep up the good work!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thank you kindly!

[@jozam11]

i'm learning by myself. i've seen every a big amount of videos of piano technique, hand position, finger attack, taubman method, rotation, etc . And you are the best explaining this topics. You actually explain how to do it, and to know whem you are doing it. I'm understanding every technique topic, even though I'm still getting used to the new feel. one question, when you use arm weight correctly, how does the thumb feel? You let the thumb "rest" on the key? When i say "rest", I mean the arm weight rest on the thumb, with a natural thumb position with good finger alignment. Sorry for my English. greetings from Colombia!

[@jozam11]

I'm still*

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Thank you watching, and for your comment! The thumb would be a great topic for another video - I'll start thinking about that! Regarding the thumb and its use in tandem with concepts of arm weight and weight transfer (being at the bottom and surface of the key), the best short answer I can give you is to say that the thumb acts the same as the other fingers. Avoid dropping your wrist to play the thumb (unless you happen to be dropping into the keys on that note), and keep your thumb relaxed and resting on the key. If you see a sharp outward curve in your thumb (curving away from your hand), that means it's probably tense and you should work on relaxing it. I hope this is helpful - and thanks again for the idea to make a video about the thumb!

[@jozam11]

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Awesomee! thanks.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

@josue zambrano: Check out today's video. I hope this answers some of your questions about the thumb: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5rCcnuuZc51fLM

[@antoniomaccagnan7200]

Great explanation, shows a lot of forethought and effort into truly showing the principles behind the rules. As for your question, at the moment I still don't really have a "technique" to speak of (been playing just one month) but I would say getting a good sound when I play chords with black keys and the fingers playing the white keys are forward between the black keys. The sound I get is still awful.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Do your fingers get caught between the black keys? If that's the case, you're going to need to curve your fingers enough that they play just on the outside of the black keys. Or is it a different issue?

[@antoniomaccagnan7200]

@@ThePianoProfKateBoyd Hi, one month passed (so I have been playing for 8 weeks LOL), and my fingers are getting more used to finding their way around the keys. Now I'm starting to focus on the feel of the sound rather than just pressing the right key.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

@@antoniomaccagnan7200 Wonderful! Congrats on your progress! Eyes-closed practice can be really helpful here, too. Have fun, and happy practicing!

[@hannahka6263]

I have got a question to the exercise of the muscle of the side. When you tap your pinky on the piano lid, does the wrist rest on the lid or not? Thank you very much!

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

When I read your comment, I sat here for a few minutes and tapped my pinky to check..... When I do it, I'm resting the arm on the big muscle of my thumb, but the bottom of the wrist is not flat against the table. The key thing is to not collapse my hand toward the pinky. So, my forearm and thumb are resting on the table, along with my other fingertips, while the top of my wrist is flat. Sometimes writing is more cumbersome than showing - I hope that answers your question! 😊

[@hannahka6263]

great! Thank you so much! 🙂

[@iandodds693]

Very useful, thanks for generously taking the time to share all of this.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

My pleasure! Glad you find it helpful. Happy practicing! 🎹😊

[@wormtownpaul]

I am a beginner. Where on the white keys should your fingers be touching and depressing. If i watch what you are doing with an arched hand and try to do the same, i find that my fingers are depressing the thin part of the white key, which doesn't give me as much leverage as depressing the wide part of the key. But if i have my fingers touching the wide part of the key, my hand tends to lose its arch and become scrunched up. Any help appreciated.

[@ThePianoProfKateBoyd]

Try shifting your hand more toward the middle/end of the white key, away from the black keys. Shift your arm back towards you so that your hand follows and does not have to scrunch up! Hope this helps! Happy practicing! 😊